My 11 year old Bernese Mountain Dog has Degenerative Myelopathy. Her back feet and legs are showing weakness. She can get up by herself but it takes an effort. She “pogo sticks” (bounces on both back feet at the same time when she runs)….yes, she loves to run. She wobbles and is unsteady on uneven ground.
She is so happy, alert, energetic, gives hugs, loves to be close, very friendly, and doesn’t miss a meal.
She is exceedingly intelligent, barks at the moon, and everyone is her friend.
I’m asking the pet sitters…..would you avoid a sit with a senior dog with a degenerative disease?
(Listing added to member’s Forum profile by the Forum team)
Being a senior myself, I like senior dogs and have sat for a couple through this platform. One dog I knew he was at the end of his life. The PP text me 6 months after I left to tell me he passed. I understand changes in the body and mild arthritis here and there so I am very sensitive to senior dogs.
Just to add: please leave payment info with your vet in case of emergency during your absence; consider how sitters might transport your big girl in such a scenario (is a car necessary? Will you loan yours or must sitters have their own vehicle and be prepared to use that?); appoint a decision maker in case you’re not contactable; and ensure your sitters are aware of your wishes relating to potential nursing or end-of-life care.
Hopefully, none of the above will be necessary, but the risks do of course increase with age and infirmity (as they do for us all!), so better to be prepared for all eventualities.
Yes…..I have thought through all the scenarios. We have family 10 minutes away who know what to do. And the vet knows the situation. All communication is in place.
Thank you.
I will, however, if we plan a trip and need a sitter repeat, remind, explain to all involved again.
I, too, have looked after senior dogs with health issues @emmieo, including a Labrador 10 times who is now 15. I love her dearly but each time I look after her, I see diminishing ability. Fortunately, I have excellent family back-up set up by the host and have had to use them a couple of times.
However, my sister and I undertook another sit a few years ago for 3 weeks, again for a senior Labrador. We were aware the dog was on medication for arthritis and reaction to loud noises/storms. However, on arrival, we were informed that the dog’s back legs were giving way and his health had deteriorated. Knowing the hosts were only going to be about an hour away, we agreed to continue to do the sit but were concerned. The dog was a beautiful boy but it turned out to be a very stressful sit. He was mainly an indoor dog, partly because of the heat in Queensland, so he needed to go up and down 8 stairs outside to go to the toilet and for his twice daily walks (which he loved once he got going). There were many times when his legs would just give way on the landing and it would be so difficult for us to get him down/up those stairs. The before bed wee visit was the worst. Inside were polished floorboards which made it very difficult for him to get up after lying down for a snooze. He often paced during the night because he couldn’t settle (and nor could we). He experienced shaking and tremors in inclement weather, despite us medicating him beforehand. We did keep the hosts fully informed and, on their arrival home, explained how important it was to update their listing and Welcome Guide if they chose to have other sitters. It was not the sit we expected, but in saying that, he was a dear old soul full of affection. It’s a huge responsibility to place on sitters which I think you need to consider @emmieo.
I cannot take such a sit on personally, due to my own aging joints and inability to lift or even support a heavy pet. In fact, I stick to cats for the most part but take care of some older dogs in my professional pet sitting business. Many years ago, when I was in my thirties, a large dog in my care was on the floor unable to move. He wasn’t particularly old, maybe middle-aged, but he was so huge I had to contact the owners who were away and they were able to get a neighbor to come by to get him in my car to get to the vet. The poor guy didn’t make it - I can’t even remember the issue, but tragically there was nothing that could be done. So if you ask me, heavy pets or livestock at any age can be a potential issue - which means HOs of any animals that weigh a lot need to give the sitter backup contacts in case of emergency. As I said, in addition as I have aged I don’t feel confident in my ability to help old dogs up and down stairs, many out of the house, etc. But I have a soft spot for elder pets and see plenty of THS sitters taking on such sits, so don’t despair!
@temba Thank you so much for your comments. You have described mobility issues that our sweet girl also has that I must add and describe in our listing and Welcome Guide. We only have two steps to the outdoors but even two steps are a challenge as she often goes down them sideways. The slippery floors are an issue. We have purchased non-skid booties that she must wear because her back legs slide out. She is also restless at night and will bark or whine at times. Thankfully she is fine during storms and inclement weather.
I have decided that we can not go far. Our sweet doggie is my first priority and I will not abandon her now. She has given us 11 years of love, companionship, faithfulness, and goofiness.
So sad reading this post and response. We had a gorgeous Labrador in a Queenslander house. Lots of stairs and slippery timber floors as described so accurately by temba. As he aged and after a few slips on the stairs my husband would carry him up at night to be with the family, then back down to bed. Luckily my husband could do this. When he finally refused to be carried to bed one night and was clearly uncomfortable all night we knew it was time to let him go. The worst part of having pets is losing them, so I second the thought enjoy your time left.
I’ve sat older dogs with mobility issues, but only ones I could easily lift. I would not sit a dog who would be too heavy, especially in case it might need an emergency vet visit. Waiting for help would be unnecessarily stressful.
I actually love senior dogs the most. And, I have sat for a senior dog that was really uncomfortable and that was hard. Because I didn’t know what he needed, and what he was going through and the people were far away. And it turned out when they got back that his illness had actually gotten a lot worse and he really needed gabapentin more gabapentin than I had been giving him.
And he was too big for me to be able to carry and put in the car and take to the vet, although they didn’t even suggest that and they really really love their dog.
But his legs were slipping, and I didn’t mind that at all the only thing that I minded was not knowing what he was going through and what he needed. But he was definitely uncomfortable and barking a lot.
Our first sit was with a senior dog. He was lovely. It was a quieter sit for us, as we weren’t really planning on doing much but rest. We had a couple events to attend and did find that the HO’s guidance on how long he could be left between bio breaks was off so had a couple messes to clean up when we returned but it was not a big deal for us. (We gave feedback to the HO’s do they’d know for future.) the rest of the profile and their welcome guide was very clear on how to me their dog’s needs.
Our HOs made it clear that if there were an emergency where we needed to transport their dog. They would unlock the garage remotely and we were to take their car (for instance). Administering daily medication, knowing what to do in the case of a seizure and acknowledgement from HO that they know their dog is old gave us the assurance we needed. It was a 5-star sit.
We also provided various updates to them each day, more than they asked for so they’d know how their dog was doing, and sent over any special or funny moments.
Clear information is the most important part as well as what to do in case of emergency. that combined with an acknowledgment that if something happens and due dilligence was done, the HO will be realistic about their pet’s mortality. That way folks can opt in to what they feel comfortable and confident with.
We’ve completed multiple sits with senior pets - both dogs and cats - with medical and/or mobility challenges and/or uncertain longevity.
We’d agree with great advice from fellow Forum members - be consciously honest with disclosures; create contingency plans for pet developments; agree clear actions/expectations with housesitters.
I feel awful now reading all of these wonderful stories and carers.
To be honest, you will restrict the pool of applicants.
I do avoid senior dogs but only for the reason that they walk too slowly and not far enough. Even though we are not spring chickens, we do like a good brisk walk with dogs
@Maggie8K Thank you. I agree 100%. After reading through all the experiences that sitters have had to go through. It is way beyond a sitter’s responsibilities. I have decided a vacation can wait. It is a betrayal. She needs me most now and I understand all the challenges a sitter could have caring for her. I will take loving care of her during her last months.
Yes we’ve recently done a 2 week sit with a 14 year old, and back again next week for 12 days. He needed a lot of care: eyes, ears, mouth etc.
I have a minimum requirement that is I ask the HOs to list the contact details for ‘decision makers’ for a just in case end of life scenario with the Vet. I won’t make that decision for them it has to be trusted family/friends.
I have a soft spot for seniors canine, feline and equine so sits with them are a lure for me !
My only concerns are owners being VERY clear about medication issues and/or any other specifics for their animals’ well being (ambulation, elimination, etc.) needs, having precise instructions should the animals’ health worsen and a confirmed communication line with the vet (vet knowing that a sitter will be caring for the animal and understanding that the owner has confirmed the sitters’ responsibilites, decisions should the pet need vet care, etc.).
I’m physically quite strong and capable so carrying , lifting, etc (errrr maybe not carrying a Bernese, though !) are a non-issue for me.
I adopted only senior cats for many years so, sadly, I’m all too familiar with age-related health concerns. Worth every single second of that love, though !
. So if you ask me, heavy pets or livestock at any age can be a potential issue - which means HOs of any animals that weigh a lot need to give the sitter backup contacts in case of emergency. As I said, in addition as I have aged I don’t feel confident in my ability to help old dogs up and down stairs, many out of the house, etc. But I have a soft spot for elder pets and see plenty of THS sitters taking on such sits, so don’t despair!